Amuse
A greeting from the kitchen garden
Our kitchen starts outside, in the orchard and vegetable garden of the health complex. What grows there decides what ends up on the table.
Menu
Compose your own evening
You choose a 3, 4 or 5-course menu yourself. Every course tells a piece of the story of Veenhuizen: from the fields of the Colony to the kitchen of the old hospital.
Starter
The Drenthe landscape on a plate
Rye bread from van Dijk, cheese from Kaaslust and vegetables from farmers in the region. An honest beginning, just as the Colony intended.
Intermediate course
A nod to 1893
In this course we bring a classic preparation from the old hospital into the present, translated into head chef Peter's modern kitchen.
Main course
The season takes the lead
Fish, meat or fully plant-based: the season chooses, we cook. Always organic where possible and local where possible.
Dessert
Bitter and sweet, of course
Our finale carries the name of the house: a play of bitter and sweet, perfectly in balance.
Vegetarian, vegan or an allergy? Let us know when you book and we will gladly think along.
Kitchen brigade
The people behind the dishes
Head chef Peter, sous-chef Jos and chefs Lars and Mark together form the kitchen brigade of Bitter en Zoet. Four chefs, one conviction: good food does not have to be complicated or expensive.
Head chef
Peter
Peter leads the kitchen and writes the menu. His dishes always begin with the story of Veenhuizen and end on your plate.
Sous-chef
Jos
Jos is Peter's right hand and the quiet force of the brigade. He guards the flavours and makes sure every plate leaves the kitchen exactly as intended.
Chef
Lars
Lars does not shy away from any mise en place. He is the man of sauces, stocks and the details you taste but never see.
Chef
Mark
Mark combines curiosity with craftsmanship. He experiments with fermentation and regional produce, giving classic dishes a twist of his own.
We are an independent family business where hospitality is the very reason we exist.
Gertjan & Suzan - Owners, family business Bitter & Zoet
Our philosophy
Beautiful dishes with a story
We believe a dish is only truly good when there is a story behind it. The story of the farmer around the corner, of the apothecary who once worked here, of the season changing outside the window. We translate those stories onto our guests' plates. Approachable and affordable, without fuss, but with full attention to flavour.